Instructional Technology Drive Marches On
Joann Kavanagh really knew her stuff when it came to the needs of Huntington School District students and teachers. So when she retired last June as instructional technology coordinator it was a real loss. Enter David M. Casamento who is quickly picking up where he predecessor left off.
“It is my hope that I will be able to assist teachers, parents, and students in the implementation of 21st century skills,” said Mr. Casamento, who is in his second year as the district’s science director and has been given supervisory responsibility for instructional technology. “I have a real passion for technology and believe in its use as a tool to assist student learning and understanding of a wide array of instructional topics. I will be available to all teachers, both before and after school to assist with any technology needs they may have.”
Moving quickly over the summer months to become more familiar with all aspects of the district’s instructional technology operations, Mr. Casamento already has a firm grip on his position and can easily speak about a long list of technology related items. “We have increased the number of eBoards in the district from 100 to 150 for this school year,” he said about an initiative near-and-dear to Mrs. Kavanagh’s heart. “These are a great way for teachers to maintain communication with parents and the community.”
Additional Huntington classrooms will be equipped with SMART boards, which are large interactive whiteboards that utilize so-called touch technology to discern the user’s intent. They offer the prospect for enhanced lesson presentations and more advanced learning. “I hope to be working with teachers to assist them in making their lessons truly interactive,” Mr. Casamento said.
Some plans seem to be especially relevant as society continues to embrace technology in all its forms. “We will also be implementing an internet safety curriculum for students in various grades,” Mr. Casamento said. “This topic is of utmost importance as communication via the internet continues to grow and expand. It is my intention to also run internet safety training for parents at some time during the school year. As a community we want to make certain that our students are and remain safe both at school and at home.”
Mr. Casamento said he also anticipates conducting a thorough review of the district’s elementary grade level technology curriculum. “We want to make certain that Huntington remains on the cutting edge of students using technology to further their education,” he said. “This is an exciting time for instructional technology and I look forward to being a part of this movement. If anyone has any ideas or would like to assist in these endeavors, I can always be reached by email at dcasamento@hufsd.edu.”
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